BD self-sufficient in fish, meat: Minister

Staff Reporter :Bangladesh has attained self-sufficiency in fish and meat production."After 46 years of our independence, the country is now self-sufficient in fish and meat production," Fisheries and Livestock Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda said this in a press conference at the Secretariat on Sunday.The minister said the fish sector is contributing 3.61 percent to the country's total gross domestic production (GDP) and 24.41 percent to country's agricultural GDP.According to a report from the Fisheries Ministry, the fish production target for 2016-17 was set at 4.05 million tonnes. But the fish production in that fiscal was 4.13 million tonnes, a 53 percent increase from the fiscal 2008-09.Meat production in fiscal 2016-17 was 7.154 million tonnes, higher than the target of 7.135 million tonnes.The joint National Food Production Guidelines defined by the Food Ministry and the Health Ministry, an individual should eat about 60g of fish and an adult should eat 120g of meat per day."Our per capita meat production is currently 121.74g, which surpasses demand. As such, Bangladesh is self-sufficient in its meat production," ministry sources said.According to a report of United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in 2016, Bangladesh ranked fourth in collecting fish from inland water bodies and the fifth largest producer in fish production, said Chanda.Besides, in 2016-17 fiscal, the meat production was 71.54 lakh MT as against the target of 71.35 lakh MT. Now one person is getting 121.74gram meat daily, which is more than the requirement, added the minister.While responding to a question about meat price, he said initiatives will be taken by March 15 to lower the prices.Chanda added that the Hilsa production has increased by 66 percent in least eight years. So, the Hilsa will be exported after meeting our local demands, he said.